With the team struggling through another difficult season, the Rays picked up manager Joe Maddon’s option years through 2009. The Devil Rays were 59-83 that day and would finish the season 66-96, last in the American League East.
Maddon, however, was building something. The organization had a young core of players, including Carl Crawford, B.J. Upton, Scott Kazmir, James Shields and Carlos Peña, and Maddon’s leadership helped create a culture that would soon transform the franchise.
Just one year later, the results were remarkable. The newly renamed Tampa Bay Rays went 97-65, won their first American League East title and reached the World Series for the first time. Maddon was named American League Manager of the Year.
Sometimes, the biggest turning points begin with simply deciding to stick with the right person.
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